Eid-ul-Fitr was celebrated across West Bengal today amidst offering of special prayers at mosques by the devout and exchange of greetings among friends and family.
A large number of Muslims assembled at the biggest congregation on Red Road to offer special prayer on the occasion, which marks the end of month-long Ramazan.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee attended the special prayer and wished everybody in the community.
The festival was observed in a big way at Nakhoda Mosque and Tipu Sultan Mosque in the city and other mosques and different eidghas in the districts. People were seen exchanging greetings and gifts and giving alms to the needy who had gathered around the mosques and eidgahs.
Markets in various Muslim-dominated areas in the city were decorated on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr.
Shahi Imam of Tipu Sultan Mosque, Mohd Nurur Rehman Barkati called for harmony and brotherhood while extending wishes and greetings to all.
"Islam never supports killing of people. Such killers have no religion. Those killing people in the name of Islam are basically goondas," Barkati said.
"Islam is for peace and amity and not for killing," he said and condemned the explosion near an Eid prayer gathering in Kishoreganj district in Bangladesh that claimed three lives.
Such an act during Eid prayer was against Islam, he said.
A report from Malda said a ten-year-old boy died and six others were injured when a septic tank on which they had gathered, collapsed under their weight during an Eid congregation in the district.
A police officer said seven to eight boys, aged between 8-10 years had gathered on the old septic tank at Malatipur-Jhanjhaniya Eidgah in Alipur area during Eid namaz.
Both Banerjee and Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi extended
greetings and best wishes to the people on the eve of Eid-ul-Fitr.
The Chief Minister hoped the festival would strengthen the feeling of harmony and brotherhood in the society.
Tripathi in his message spoke of strengthening of the secular fabric of the country and spirit of amity among all sections of society.
TMC MP and Chairman of All India Minority Forum Idris Ali also extended wishes to all in the community on the occasion and condemned the explosion near Eid prayer venue in Bangladesh.
